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Poll

How do you wish to network on Symbiostock?

Interested in being a part of an open network.
50 (80.6%)
Interested in being a part of a closed network.
6 (9.7%)
Indifferent.
2 (3.2%)
Going to dabble, but most likely will go solo.
4 (6.5%)

Total Members Voted: 52

Author Topic: Symbiostock Shared Search Results: Pick up to 5 people to network with.  (Read 18330 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Leo Blanchette

« on: March 20, 2013, 15:14 »
+1
How many guinea pigs do we have for the testing release? :D Check out the pole attached with this thread.

Each site will have a starting amount of 5 people you can network your search results with. Since the pole in the opening thread showed people are most interested in the neworking aspect, I've been putting the majority of my work into this.

I will be making a nice opening sticky thread, but here are some initial pointers:

Networking in Symbiostock will have many benefits:

1: Its a very sophisticated backlink system, which should have very good SEO benefits.

As search engines crawl your sites, they depend on links to discover new content. So if your friend's site gets search engine attention, yours will too. As Symbiostock keeps getting developed, we will find more ways to give "suggested" results to customers, but also as a way to give more contextual / semantic value to you and your friend's content through linking.

2: It shares customer traffic. Your not so concerned with keeping a captive audience on your site, but rather your network.


Traditional marketing says "Get your customers attention and keep it". Symbiostock marketing says "If you don't have what they want, refer them to your friend". Your friend does the same thing. So networking is based on trust. Also, you'd want to network with people who have content you'd like to be connected with.

3. Symbiostock networks can be closed or open.

Open network example: You just pick people to network with, have fun, they do the same thing. Customers (bees) migrate a large field of Symbiostock sites (flowers) and find what they want. Each person's site networks with different people.

Closed network example: 5 people all have identical network contacts. They all agree on a certain licensing system. They agree on certain marketing strategies. They cooperate. Exclusive club!

Please expect challenges, issues, and pretty much a lot of "patience" with this system. Its a new concept and will require much tweaking when its officially tested in the open.


EmberMike

« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2013, 16:39 »
0

I'm trying to get up to speed on what Symbiostock is all about, so forgive me if this is already covered somewhere...

Is Networking a required part of the system? Or is it possible to simply run a Symbiostock-based site completely independently of the rest of the users?

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2013, 16:48 »
0
It has the ability to go independent and leave the network functions untouched :D.

« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2013, 17:23 »
0
I'm interested but not answered as I haven't got a clue how to even start joining in on this yet so will wait until I understand it all more.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2013, 17:32 »
+1
A lot of this stuff will make more sense once its installed.

Network browsing (I have myself as a network member, but you get the idea):
http://www.clipartillustration.com/freefiles/network_results.swf

« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2013, 17:49 »
0
Bummer, I am going to Minneapolis for the week and you are going to release this when I am gone aren't you????   

I really like the "open network" idea.  I'm not sure about the 5 in your network - It would be great for people with same size portfolios, but who is going to want to network with my tiny niche site(s)...  But on the other hand - someone who has several niches could link their own sites together.  LOL, this may become a popularity contest.  Symbiostock Survivor!

« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2013, 17:49 »
0
Amazing!

« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2013, 17:50 »
0
A lot of this stuff will make more sense once its installed.

Network browsing (I have myself as a network member, but you get the idea):
http://www.clipartillustration.com/freefiles/network_results.swf

Wow that's great.  Makes it all look so simple.  Thank you.  I will read all the other posts slowly and carefully.

« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2013, 17:55 »
0
Voted "Interested in being a part of an open network". While I think that some sort of uniform licensing is important for a stock images sales network to fly, I find the open network concept of Symbiostock the one feature that sets it apart from places like Photoshelter or Zenfolio.

I am ready to test. Count me in as guinea pig.

« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2013, 18:09 »
0
totally favor open system -- interestingly. the online course i'm taking is social network modeling and we're looking at various open and closed systems - there are some great open source tools out there

mattdixon

« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2013, 18:09 »
0
I'm up for beta testing. Will it pick up keywords from the metadata?

« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2013, 18:16 »
0
Brilliant, looking forward to test that!

« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2013, 18:16 »
0
Voted to be part of open network yet im not really sure how it works but willing to try it...

THP Creative

  • THP Creative

« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2013, 19:19 »
0
Cant wait to get involved Leo.

farbled

« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2013, 20:59 »
0
I'm willing to try it too.

« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2013, 21:36 »
0
Is it possible for people who already have a site to join the network? I have a site with Photoshelter and would be very much interested in the network if it's a possibility.

stocked

« Reply #16 on: March 21, 2013, 00:51 »
0
Would love to be part of this project right from the beginning!

« Reply #17 on: March 21, 2013, 01:25 »
0
I'm very interested too...
jean

« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2013, 03:46 »
0
Is it possible for people who already have a site to join the network? I have a site with Photoshelter and would be very much interested in the network if it's a possibility.

same here

« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2013, 10:49 »
+3
I'm still a bit confused about what will need to happen for me to participate, but I said "open network" for the poll choice.

I don't think anyone will buy any or more of my images because I make it hard for them to search other people's images. I think that something like this - a collection of artist sites - has a chance of working well only if buyers can easily browse a broad selection. As long as it's clear that it's different artists, price differences shouldn't be too confusing - although there might need to be a way for the searcher to select by price or licence type at some point in the future.

« Reply #20 on: March 21, 2013, 11:59 »
0
I'm still a bit confused about what will need to happen for me to participate, but I said "open network" for the poll choice.

I don't think anyone will buy any or more of my images because I make it hard for them to search other people's images. I think that something like this - a collection of artist sites - has a chance of working well only if buyers can easily browse a broad selection. As long as it's clear that it's different artists, price differences shouldn't be too confusing - although there might need to be a way for the searcher to select by price or licence type at some point in the future.

I couldn't agree more.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #21 on: March 21, 2013, 13:40 »
0
I'm still a bit confused about what will need to happen for me to participate, but I said "open network" for the poll choice.

I don't think anyone will buy any or more of my images because I make it hard for them to search other people's images. I think that something like this - a collection of artist sites - has a chance of working well only if buyers can easily browse a broad selection. As long as it's clear that it's different artists, price differences shouldn't be too confusing - although there might need to be a way for the searcher to select by price or licence type at some point in the future.


People are used to the drive through and big-box-one-stop-shop mentality. This system is experimental and from the outset attempts to change a few things. But here are some pointers for you -

1. Convenience takes second to getting artists independent right now.
2. Majority of everyone's traffic will come from search engines anyway.
3. You can download a plugin to have your images available on http://www.picturengine.com/ - which is exactly what your looking for - a central search area (yet another reason to have a closed network - you might have your network associates also doing this).

And then a few others...

4. The system will evolve as its tested  in the real world. Solutions will come as needed.
5. Symbiostock site will eventually have a central search engine, but I have no intent of trying to do that myself. Personally I hope I've sold this system by then :D.

And most importantly -

Its your site, your independence, and you can do what you want.

RacePhoto

« Reply #22 on: March 22, 2013, 16:33 »
0
It has the ability to go independent and leave the network functions untouched :D.

Looks nice, I watched the demo. We will select which five we are linked to? But those five will be linked to others, not back to us? Or is even link a two way link? Then everyone I want to link to has lost one of their links because I want to connect with them. Is that the idea?

Or maybe it's unlimited incoming links and only five direct. So Mr. X-Sync the amazing Micro Guru has 50 people who will be linked to him, but he's only linked out to his five?

So for instance I'd select photo people, and not vector and graphics, so I'm linked to related materials. The vector people will probably stay with their own, but somewhere ten members from me, 10 sites away, we'll all finally cross link?

How far away does the search reach? Just neighbors (5) or neighbors of neighbors (25) or everyone?

I guess the question is, how do the five linked sites interact and how do the neighbors of each of those, interact?

Lets see, I link to three of me and two of Todd, that's my five?  :o

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #23 on: March 22, 2013, 17:14 »
+1
Wow, I must be tired. Your question made my head spin.

Let me try to answer your questions in sequence:

1. Two way links only happen if your friend also adds you to network. You can search his/her site and verify they've added you when you see your search results included.

2. 5 network contacts is the limit for included results right now, until I see how everything plays out. When you add a network member, you include their results. When they add you, they include yours.

3. How far away does the search reach? 1 site right now. Literally, your friend's site is as far as it goes. Your friend will have you, and 4 others (or possibly share a few network contacts with you) and thus you have the way the network extends itself.

Its worth mentioning again, this is a lilly-pad-jumping system, not a typical search. In fact, thinking of it as high-end "browsing" might help your expectations a bit.

And of course, once again, expect lots of bugs in the network search. I haven't gotten everything perfectly self-validating yet.

In the near future I will have it prompt your friends "So and so has added you, would you like to add them?", and you'll be able to see network conversations, new images...news... but for now its basics. It might evolve into a small social network type system with time.

« Reply #24 on: March 22, 2013, 21:45 »
+2
symbiostock sounds very much like the answer to the question I asked on MSG months ago..

"a central search for all artist sites" may be revolutionary.. using wordpress is a BIG plus as well..

there is a huge potential here.. so huge, that if succeeds, it will be a battle won against "unfair" agencies..

thanks for your hard work and dedication Leo.. (although I can not really be considered a developer) I know how frustrating it can be to work with wordpress themes and make them function the way you want..

when it's all done, I believe your efforts should be rewarded as well..

« Reply #25 on: March 23, 2013, 11:46 »
0
Bummer, I am going to Minneapolis for the week and you are going to release this when I am gone aren't you????   

I really like the "open network" idea.  I'm not sure about the 5 in your network - It would be great for people with same size portfolios, but who is going to want to network with my tiny niche site(s)...  But on the other hand - someone who has several niches could link their own sites together.  LOL, this may become a popularity contest.  Symbiostock Survivor!

Pixart,I might be willing to network with your niche site.  Finding 5 people willing to network with me has been one of my concerns since I tend to lurk here and don't have vast connections.  We need an "orphans" list of people looking for network friends. 

I have a small portfolio that is heavy on food images and no images with people. I'm trying to understand what might be the best balance in the best type of network to have.  For instance, LisaFx has food images on her own website but heavy on shots with people.  That could be complimentary because a search for a food-related keyword could lead to my portfolio or her portfolio and (if I understand this right) would show related pics from networked sites.  If my friend network was filled with portfolios that had a lot of travel, landscape, business, etc. would it be less likely that related images would pop up to link over to network portfolios? 

Leo - will there be a tracking option that shows a report to analyze how one's friend network is working out with regard to inbound and outbound traffic?  It seems that it will be critical in fine-tuning the network.  If I see that I am not getting any inbound traffic from someone that has me as a friend or I see that I'm not giving any outbound traffic to one of my friends it would be time to consider updating one's friend network to benefit each other better.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #26 on: March 23, 2013, 14:23 »
0
Leo - will there be a tracking option that shows a report to analyze how one's friend network is working out with regard to inbound and outbound traffic?

I think google analytics will track that sort of thing for you under referrers.

Also I'm going to try to track certain things among the networks too as much as possible to make adjustments, show overall traffic and hotspots, etc.

lisafx

« Reply #27 on: March 23, 2013, 14:31 »
0
I am just now reading about this.  Sounds very interesting.  From my limited understanding, this is something I would definitely try. 

I don't quite understand why it has to be limited to 5 other sites to network with.  I would rather see all indie sellers networked together.   But either way,  would be happy to participate.  I don't know squat about coding though, so someone would have to help with that if anything's required on my end...

And Karen, you are better known than you think.  I would be happy to network with you :)

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #28 on: March 23, 2013, 14:42 »
+2
I just figured out your avatar "rose colored glasses!" that is funny. Like the expression...

Its limited to 5 because I don't know how things will behave right now. If you are connected to 3 people who's sites take 2 seconds to connect to each, its an extra 6 seconds for page-load. But its all speculative...I have to see how things work out so I can build work-arounds and stuff.

farbled

« Reply #29 on: March 23, 2013, 17:55 »
0
I think if I had to pick 5 sites to network with, I'd look for slightly different but complimentary themes. I have a niche market in rare earth minerals, metals and gemstones so I'd be looking for industrial, people at work, and/or jewelry themed niches to network with, preferably with similar price ranges.

Maybe people could list their niches or subject matter and see who would be best to network with?

lisafx

« Reply #30 on: March 23, 2013, 18:24 »
0
I just figured out your avatar "rose colored glasses!" that is funny. Like the expression...

Its limited to 5 because I don't know how things will behave right now. If you are connected to 3 people who's sites take 2 seconds to connect to each, its an extra 6 seconds for page-load. But its all speculative...I have to see how things work out so I can build work-arounds and stuff.

Exactly!  Hardly anyone ever comments on the avatar.  Glad you got it :D

Thanks for the answer.  Makes sense.  I would be happy to link with four others  who have complimentary but not directly competing subjects. 

« Reply #31 on: March 23, 2013, 20:57 »
0
I'm still exclusive. I'm thinking a lot about kick it off and free my soul. I'm a illustrator and i hope i find other five illustrators dudes to share links. It's a bit weird share links with photo guys, but i have no prejudices.  ;)

« Reply #32 on: March 23, 2013, 22:22 »
0
A directory thread with potential sites/partners is a great idea!  As an illustrator I think I lean toward networking with other illustrators too, I'm sure there will be enough that that is an option.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #33 on: March 23, 2013, 22:49 »
0
I'm really happy to see everyone so excited over this!

I'm hoping on the Symbiostock main site information is available on different networks and what they offer...which will allow you to hunt down people better. But thats a ways away at this rate.

« Reply #34 on: March 23, 2013, 23:03 »
0
I'm really happy to see everyone so excited over this!

I'm hoping on the Symbiostock main site information is available on different networks and what they offer...which will allow you to hunt down people better. But thats a ways away at this rate.

Rome wasn't built in one day, either.  8)

I am really looking forward to first release. Can't imagine it being that hard to create this network. Just think how easy it is on facebook or twitter. OK, granted, those examples don't quite match Symbiostock but still...

« Reply #35 on: March 25, 2013, 13:20 »
0
If I opt in the networking thing, definitely, Leo's site is one of them.

I would try to go solo as well to test things.

« Reply #36 on: March 25, 2013, 13:41 »
+1

My guess.

For a small retribution, every symbiostock member should link Leo's site.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #37 on: March 25, 2013, 13:52 »
+1
Thank you for the thought. I was going to put a set of credit links which you can activate or deactivate: Microstockgroup.com, ClipArtof.com, ClipArtIllustration.com.

But regarding network, I'll be launching clipartillustrations.com (note the "s') brand new and starting it from scratch. It will allow me to continuously see it from the perspective you guys will be at [edit: so I can remember what its like to start from scratch, see issues of a new site, etc.]. At that site any network inclusions would be very appreciated.

Also I'd like to thank everyone for their support on this project.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2013, 13:55 by Leo »

stocked

« Reply #38 on: March 25, 2013, 14:32 »
+2

My guess.

For a small retribution, every symbiostock member should link Leo's site.
absolutely!

RacePhoto

« Reply #39 on: March 25, 2013, 18:25 »
0

1. Two way links only happen if your friend also adds you to network. You can search his/her site and verify they've added you when you see your search results included.

2. 5 network contacts is the limit for included results right now, until I see how everything plays out. When you add a network member, you include their results. When they add you, they include yours.

3. How far away does the search reach? 1 site right now. Literally, your friend's site is as far as it goes. Your friend will have you, and 4 others (or possibly share a few network contacts with you) and thus you have the way the network extends itself.

Its worth mentioning again, this is a lilly-pad-jumping system, not a typical search. In fact, thinking of it as high-end "browsing" might help your expectations a bit.


Sounds nice and functional. People could also plan second links with friends, like this: Site A would link to B,C,D,E,F and these people are selling associated concepts, but there are more people who want in the "daisy" (or Lilly or whatever someone calls it) So B makes friends with 1,2,3,4,5, and C links to 6,7,8,9,10,  D 11-15... and so on. New people are friends off the hub, one step away from the center.

If someone wanted to close the loop a little, 5-10-15-20 and 25 could all link to each other, forming a back loop to the second tier. (maybe I need to make a little diagram?)

Now what we need is a Match Making Service for Hubs, friends and sub hubs?  ;D For the people with similar interests who wanted to be with similar, then they could find their group, all be around one site, and build out adding new people who wanted to belong to the Similar To "X" group.

For people who wanted different materials, they could associate with a "diversity" center HUB person, and then all of them build out adding only people directly who are different, based on their own idea of what associates to have.

Yes I like the idea of SEO link on everyone's page somewhere, to Kona's site, to pay back for all the efforts.

If I ever get the software running and I can understand it (some days?) and there's anyone else interested in Sports Editorial as a group, that would be my target. Hey Warren, Motorcycles would be perfect, I'll take cars, someone else can do soccer, that way we share and are similar, but non-competing most of the time.

« Reply #40 on: March 25, 2013, 18:33 »
0
.....

Now what we need is a Match Making Service for Hubs, friends and sub hubs?  ;D For the people with similar interests who wanted to be with similar, then they could find their group, all be around one site, and build out adding new people who wanted to belong to the Similar To "X" group.

For people who wanted different materials, they could associate with a "diversity" center HUB person, and then all of them build out adding only people directly who are different, based on their own idea of what associates to have.



i've started a separate thread to get something going along these lines ...

for now it's just free form, no categories, etc - depending on how many people actually jump in, that may be enough for now.  i can easily set  up a database for online tracking of all this if it gets to the point that it seems useful

« Reply #41 on: March 26, 2013, 04:29 »
0
Yes i would like to try also ! But i have already a blog working with wordpress, I guess I have to start from a fresh wordpress install.

« Reply #42 on: March 26, 2013, 08:15 »
0
Yes i would like to try also ! But i have already a blog working with wordpress, I guess I have to start from a fresh wordpress install.

Not necessarily - if your site permits sub-domains you could possibly create one and install Symbiostock on the subdomain

« Reply #43 on: April 09, 2013, 20:03 »
+1
still trying to think of ways to get around the 5 links limit, realizing why it was there

right now it's hard to tell who's linking to whom & would be nice t be able to access more than 5 sites.  one possibility would be to allow more than 5  but, each time a search is needed, select ONLY 5 randomly

would also be nice to allow a display somewhere of which sites are being linked, without having to do a search

this should be simple [php has to have a random number generator somewhere]

a more involved approach would be to have each site particapte in a database that lists their interests and then have symbio pick 5 from the database [this would be a simple db call that leo could use at the start of an extended search]  in both these cases of course, each site owner could decide whether to participate or not


Leo Blanchette

« Reply #44 on: April 09, 2013, 20:11 »
0
If you REALLY REALLY want to get more than five people included in your search results, you can alter the amount allowed directly in the code. I have it set up so one fine day I can make the amount a variable set in the options. For now, in testing, 5 is card-coded in.

Random - easy. But you sacrifice the SEO value because link-power is built up based on perminant links. However it might benefit humans more ... so many factors. But keep having ideas because the time will come when I can get full-on into the network again.

« Reply #45 on: April 10, 2013, 13:06 »
0
If you REALLY REALLY want to get more than five people included in your search results, you can alter the amount allowed directly in the code. I have it set up so one fine day I can make the amount a variable set in the options. For now, in testing, 5 is card-coded in.

Random - easy. But you sacrifice the SEO value because link-power is built up based on perminant links. However it might benefit humans more ... so many factors. But keep having ideas because the time will come when I can get full-on into the network again.

i was aiming to have a DIFFERENT set of 5 each time - so we would still list say 10 sites, but your search each time would select only 5 of them (if processing time is a concern)

thus a random selection of 5 each time, but the SEO effects would be the same - so it's 2 different problems - SEO effect from backlinks and additional links thru searches.  for me, the latter seems more important right now

one big problem right now is knowing who to link to - and as we have more people added, those with smaller portfolios might not get many network links.   what's needed is a way to go to each site and scrape  data -
   the number of images in the portfolio,
    the network that the site owner has set up. 
       quick desc or tags by the owner of what their site offers
     what they look for in network partners - either same content, any content or different content. 


 if Leo can provide such a hidden report,  i could then write a program that recovers this data and displays it as a table we can all access


eventually this could provide the input to the search itself


 

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